Galatasaray vice-president shuns January exit talks on Victor Osimhen amidst Juventus interest

Galatasaray vice-president, İbrahim Hatipoğlu, has insisted Victor Osimhen will continue at the club beyond the January transfer window despite interest from Juventus, Soccernet.ng reports.

The 25-year-old joined the Cim Bom on loan from Napoli this summer after a seemingly never-ending transfer saga with Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain.

Osimhen is yet to spend a month in Turkey and has already seen himself identified as a transfer target by one of Napoli’s rivals, Juventus.

According to Italian Outlet, Calcio Mercato, Thiago Motta’s side are eyeing a move for the Nigerian striker following the struggles of Dusan Vlahovic in front of goal.

Juventus have scored six goals from five Serie A games this term, and have played three goalless draws, highlighting their profligacy in finding the back of the net.

The Old Lady’s club director, Cristiano Giuntoli, is on good terms with Osimhen and his agent, Roberto Calenda, so the Nigerian is an option for the Italian giants, alongside LOSC Lille’s Jonathan David.

Galatasaray’s vice president, on the other hand, has made his plans for Osimhen outrightly clear. The Turkish side also plan to keep Osimhen beyond next summer, and the situation is already shaping up to be a transfer tussle, with Chelsea also lurking on the sides.

“Osimhen leaving in January is out of the question. In fact, we are planning to have Osimhen play next season. Osimhen is a Galatasaray player until June. Discussing this is an attempt to change the agenda and spoil the fun of watching Osimhen. The player shows how committed he is to Galatasaray in every match. A person plays where he is happy. He has a contract with us until the end of the season. He is very happy to have come to Galatasaray. We should think about how he will be together with Osimhen in the following seasons. There is no need to discuss whether he will leave during the mid-season break,” the 55-year-old said in quotes revealed by Gazeteoksijen.

Osimhen has provided two assists in his first two games for Galatasaray. He also had his release clause reduced to €75m just before he joined the Turkish club on loan.